The 44th edition of MCE – Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, a leading event for technologies in air conditioning, heating, energy efficiency, renewable energy and water solutions, opened last month (March) at Fiera Milano Rho in the Italian city of Milan.

Over 1,600 exhibiting companies from more than 48 countries showcased their products in 12 exhibition halls at Fiera Milano at the three-day event. The key industry event attracted over 120,000 professionals  – with more than 35 per cent from abroad. Official delegations of more than 320 selected international buyers from 39 countries attended the event, said the  organisers.

A key highlight of the event was an 'Evolved' edition of the expo inspired by Reinventing MCE 2026’s vision which saw a big response from both exhibitors and visitors. 

The project, delivered in partnership with Lombardini22 – a design agency that used neuroscientific insights to analyse visitor flows – focused on Halls 2 and 4, dedicated to HVAC components. The aim was to create spaces that enhance the quality of the visitor experience and capitalise on increased attention, said the organisers.

"Over the past 10 years, the extended HVAC+R supply chain has played a crucial role in driving growth for the national economy, averaging a 1.4 per cent increase in GDP and a 2.3 per cent rise in employment," remarked Massimiliano Pierini, the Managing Director of RX Italy, while introducing one of the key topics for discussion at the event.

"When compared to other traditional Made in Italy sectors like food and clothing, the HVAC+R supply chain contributes similarly to GDP," he stated.

Additionally, it has a significant impact on employment levels, matching those of the food industry and exceeding the clothing sector by 1.4 percentage points, he added.

The research by TEHA Group (The European House-Ambrosetti) highlights the challenges facing the HVAC-R supply chain during the energy transition.